Parents launch petition to save CBeebies TV channel from BBC cuts

Parents have launched a petition to save CBeebies after reports the BBC is considering axing its toddler and pre-school channel.

At the time of writing (September 14), 127,400 had signed the change.org petition in just five days since it was launched.

The freeview channel owned by the British public broadcaster is famed for showing programmes which are both educational and entertaining for little ones.

It recently rebooted beloved children’s programme The Clangers and shows cartoons such as Charlie and Lola as well as bedtime staple In The Night Garden.

Last Monday (September 7) BBC director general Tony Hall made a speech during which he said channels including Cbeebies, BBC News, BBC4 and CBBC, which is aimed at older children, may all face the axe.

The changes are part of a wider shakeup at the broadcaster which Hall says could mean children’s TV being placed onto the iPlayer platform so it can be streamed online.

The “Save the CBeebies TV channel” petition urges parents to get involved as it plays a “significant role in the lives of most parents with little ones.”

A statement from the petition’s author says: “BBC are considering axing the CBeebies channel as a cost saving measure.

“CBeebies plays a significant role in the lives of most parents with little ones, providing both education and entertainment, and affords parents time to do something else (cooking dinner for example!) while their little one is relaxing watching CBeebies.

“Please sign this petition so the BBC know the value of this channel, and #savecbeebies.”